PSA for new mommies and moms-to-be

Just for your info.....after I gave birth at Winthrop, I received a bill for $350 from the lab that performed the hearing screening on Jack in the hospital.

THIS IS A NEW YORK STATE MANDATED SCREENING!!!

You have NO choice in the matter and as is the case at Winthrop....there's only 1 person/lab that does this.

My insurance Empire BCBS PPO denied the claim, stating they were out of network.

DO NOT PAY THIS BILL!!!!

The lab attached a letter to the denied claim stating that they were the only ones on site to perform such a screening and that since it is state mandated, insurance should cover it. They denied it again

I called Empire BCBS and explained the situation.....The wonderful girl on the other end of the phone immediately put the claim through and advised me to let all the ladies of LIF know that they just need to call and they'll fix it.

It's the old deny the claim and see if anyone pays attention. I HATE insurance companies! Anyway, I can't imagine how many ladies paid this bill figuring they had no choice....I didn't want anyone else to make the same mistake.

Happy, healthy 9 months and {{quick & easy labor vibes}} to you all

Re: PSA for new mommies and moms-to-be

Thanks. I have Empire BCBS also.

Re: PSA for new mommies and moms-to-be

Thanks I have BCBS as well. They are very good with customer service and have "caught" my son's pediatrician on a few things!!!

Re: PSA for new mommies and moms-to-be

Thanks for the heads up. I also have BCBS.

Re: PSA for new mommies and moms-to-be

Re: PSA for new mommies and moms-to-be

OOH!!!! Thanks! That's my insurance too!

Re: PSA for new mommies and moms-to-be

I work for BCBS and in defense of insurance companies, its Not THEIR fault...Actually its Winthrops fault and the dr's fault for not telling you that they DONT take the insurance and who will be doing this test ahead of time...because it can be done by the pediatrician....

IF the provider who does it took the insurance and didnt charge so much money for a 2 minute test , there wouldnt be an issue...so Actually BCBS is doing everyone a favor.

I actually have Oxford through my hubby and they DONT cover the charge at all , wont consider it and I paid $350 for the hearing test for my now 4 week old...I even spoke to a supervisor and told her Empires policy...and she said, her hands were tied, they dont make exceptions, I should have known since I work for insurance ( In her defense, I should have actually)

Consider yourself very lucky.